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[Plasmodium falciparum] [Plasmodium knowlesi] [Plasmodium malariae] [Plasmodium ovale] [Plasmodium vivax]

In developing trophozoites of P. malariae, chromatin is rounded or streaky and the cytoplasm is usually compact with no vacuole.  Pigment may be coarse and peripheral.  As the trophozoites mature, the cytoplasm may elongate across the host RBC, forming a 'band-form', or may be oval with a vacuole forming a 'basket-form'.  Chromatin is usually in a single mass, less definite in outline.  Pigment granules become larger and tend to have a more peripheral arrangement.

A	B

A, B: Band-form trophozoites of P. malariae in thin blood smears.

C	D

C, D: Band-form trophozoites of P. malariae in a thin blood smear.

E

E: Band-form trophozoite of P. malariae in a thin blood smear.